Medico Legal Aspects of Physical Injuries
Chapter IX
MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF
PHYSICAL INJURIES
Physical Injury is the effect of some forms of stimulus on the body.
The effect may only be apparent when the stimulus applied is insufficient to cause injury and the body resistance is great. It may be real when the effect is visible.
The effect of the application of stimulus may be immediate or may be delayed. A thrust to the body of a sharp pointed and sharp edged instrument will lead to the immediate production of a stab wound, while a hit by a blunt object may cause the delayed production of a contusion.
Causes of Physical Injuries: A. Physical Violence B. Heat or Cold C. Electrical Energy D. Chemical Energy E. Radiation by Radio-Active Substances F. Change of Atmospheric Pressure (Barotrauma) G. Infection
PHYSICAL INJURIES BROUGHT ABOUT
BY PHYSICAL VIOLENCE The effect of the application of physical violence on a person is the production of wound. A wound is the solution of the natural continuity of any tissue of the living body. It is the disruption of the anatomic integrity of a tissue of a body. In several occasions, the word physical injury is used interchangeably with wound. However, the effect of the physical violence may not always result to the production of wound, but the wound is always the effect of physical violence.
Physics of Wound Production: Wound = Kinetic energy X time X area X “other factors” MV M = Mass V = Velocity Kinetic Energy = ------- 2
Kinetic Energy: Inasmuch as kinetic energy is based on the mass and velocity factors and that the velocity is squared, the velocity component is the important factor. This explains why an M-16 bullet which has a speed or 3,200 ft/sec. will do more damage than a 0.38 caliber bullet which is heavier but has a much slower velocity.
Time:
The shorter the period of time needed for the transfer of energy, the greater the likelihood of producing damage. If a person is hit on the
MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF
PHYSICAL INJURIES
Physical Injury is the effect of some forms of stimulus on the body.
The effect may only be apparent when the stimulus applied is insufficient to cause injury and the body resistance is great. It may be real when the effect is visible.
The effect of the application of stimulus may be immediate or may be delayed. A thrust to the body of a sharp pointed and sharp edged instrument will lead to the immediate production of a stab wound, while a hit by a blunt object may cause the delayed production of a contusion.
Causes of Physical Injuries: A. Physical Violence B. Heat or Cold C. Electrical Energy D. Chemical Energy E. Radiation by Radio-Active Substances F. Change of Atmospheric Pressure (Barotrauma) G. Infection
PHYSICAL INJURIES BROUGHT ABOUT
BY PHYSICAL VIOLENCE The effect of the application of physical violence on a person is the production of wound. A wound is the solution of the natural continuity of any tissue of the living body. It is the disruption of the anatomic integrity of a tissue of a body. In several occasions, the word physical injury is used interchangeably with wound. However, the effect of the physical violence may not always result to the production of wound, but the wound is always the effect of physical violence.
Physics of Wound Production: Wound = Kinetic energy X time X area X “other factors” MV M = Mass V = Velocity Kinetic Energy = ------- 2
Kinetic Energy: Inasmuch as kinetic energy is based on the mass and velocity factors and that the velocity is squared, the velocity component is the important factor. This explains why an M-16 bullet which has a speed or 3,200 ft/sec. will do more damage than a 0.38 caliber bullet which is heavier but has a much slower velocity.
Time:
The shorter the period of time needed for the transfer of energy, the greater the likelihood of producing damage. If a person is hit on the